In pictures: St Eunan's pay tribute to the 'unbelievable' Brendan Devenney

St Eunan’s GAA club hosted an appreciation night on Saturday at the O’Donnell Park clubhouse, with Brendan Devenney as the special guest.

The Letterkenny club thanked all coaches and people who helped out in any way throughout the year and local journalist Ciaran O’Donnell was compere. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

“I was at St Eunan’s College and was welcomed here and always felt at home,” Devenney said. “I live just over that hill and I’ll be there till the day I die. So if you ask me what’s the biggest thing I had in my life, it’s St Eunan’s and everyone here.”

Further tributes were paid by Independent Councillor Kevin Bradley, the Mayor of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District; Alan Foley, group editor of the Iconic Media, Donegal titles; Michael Gibbons, former St Eunan’s chairman; former manager Michael Houston and John Haran, the current club chairman.

Devenney’s son Matthew opened proceedings with a rendition of ‘Whisper in my ear, baby’ and entertainment afterwards came from DJ Keith Fletcher.

“He was unbelievable,” St Eunan’s vice-chairman Ollie Harvey said of Devenney.

Devenney lined up for the club with distinction, including leading St Eunan’s to a three-in-a-row of Donegal SFC titles from 2007 to 2009, as well as being part of the management team for the 2014 Donegal SFC success.

Devenney presented the club jersey from the International Rules Series. Having also played in 1998, he was his country's leading scorer against Australia in the 2001 International Rules Series, as Ireland romped to victory in Australia. He scored four overs in the first test, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Ireland won 59–53 and two more overs in the second test, held at Football Park in Adelaide.

Last September, Devenney’s father Paddy passed away having suffered from cancer and tragically, the following day his sister Margaret died suddenly.

The St Eunan’s club made a presentation to Brendan’s mother Imelda on Saturday, with his sisters Sharon, Maria and Arlene also in attendance.

“I had a few signed jerseys from the series and they were in the boot of my car to get framed,” Devenney said. “For one reason or another I never got around to it and then one time I went on holidays, my car was stolen at the airport. Everything was gone, including the jerseys.

“At the time, Kieran Cunningham, chief sportswriter in in The Star, even shared the story in an attempt to get the things back but nothing ever materialised. But there were a couple of unsigned ones from the time which I had taken home and had forgotten about. Dad actually had one the whole time, so it only recently resurfaced so I’d like to give it to the St Eunan’s club.”

Devenney is currently an Ambassador for Plan International, who work on girls' rights and equality in the most disadvantaged and marginalised communities and regions of the world. Plan also facilitates the sponsoring boys and girls to give them education, a future with hope and at the same time help their entire community.

DV's Charity Ball was previously held two years ago and raised €24,000 for three charities - Plan International Ireland, Cancer Care West, and Focus Ireland.

The Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny is the venue for the second charity ball being organised by Devenney. The benefitting charities from the second staging of the event, which will take place on Friday, November 24, will be Plan International, Donegal Hospice and Epilepsy Ireland. Tickets are currently available from the Mount Errigal Hotel.

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